Sasol and the South African Football Association (SAFA) tonight concluded a deal that will see Sasol stay on board as the headline sponsor of the senior national women’s football team (Banyana Banyana) and the Sasol League which is the country’s premium women’s football league.

This deal will see the two companies further cementing their partnership and carrying on the work that they started four years ago when Sasol came on as the sponsor for Banyana Banyana.  

“Our new agreement with SAFA is for a period of four years and makes provision for the Sasol Women’s league, as well as for all games of the South African Senior National women’s football team. We, however, prefer to call the team by the name the public has adopted for them. Our new agreement includes naming rights and we are very proud that from now on, our national women’s football team will be known as ‘Sasol Banyana Banyana’,” said Nolitha Fakude, Executive Director at Sasol.

Sasol and football have a history dating back to the days of Amaglug-glug (South Africa’s under 23 national soccer team), and the company has been involved in the development of local football ever since. In the last four years Sasol has played a leading role in the development of women’s football and has also been a key enabler of women empowerment through football, which is in line with the company’s position of supporting the South African campaign for gender equity.

During the past four years, Sasol’s involvement in women’s football has seen the organisation making great contributions towards nation building and women empowerment.

“We are very proud that Sasol, in partnership with SAFA, is making a significant impact on developing women in sport from the ground up.  Our players have done Sasol and South Africa proud as they have continued to improve and showcase their talent on the global sporting stage,” said Fakude.

The Sasol League has 144 teams nationwide and with each province having 16 teams, its impact on the lives of the players can never be disputed. The league has afforded many players the opportunity to further their studies at top tertiary intuitions whilst still playing football.

The Sasol League has brought communities together through sport and the support of women’s football has opened doors to new opportunities for women football players.

The new deal will see Sasol stay on as the sponsor of the national team and of the semi-professional Sasol league until 2017.

Ends

Issued by:

Alex Anderson, Group Media Manager
Direct telephone +27 (11) 441 3295; Mobile +27 (0) 71 600 9605;
alex.anderson@sasol.com

Jacqui O’Sullivan, GM: Group Communication
Direct telephone +27 (11) 441 3252; Mobile +27 (0) 82 883 9697;
jacqui.osullivan@sasol.com